My Forum

• Best moment: The first 13 miles were good. The weather was nice, and I was feeling strong. I knew I was way out of my plan as I was going much too fast, and no matter how much I kidded myself that this was time in my pocket for when I faded at the end, I knew I would suffer and crash, but couldn't slow myself down. Passing each pub was a good moment, and after Canary Wharf I did take advantage of those with drinks in their hands to gulps a few mouthfuls of beer, much to everyone's pleasure!
• Worse moment - going round the Dogs. I had talked myself into walking round to save energy, and that if I started running again on leaving the Dogs I would still make my target of 6 hours because I did have so much time in hand. But coming into Canary Wharf I felt really dizzy and sick. I had run too hard in the first half, and my body had not been able to run and absorb water and energy - so it was all still there in my stomach. I had to lay down to recover. Got surrounded by paramedics who took some convincing that I was actually OK, just needed to lower my head because I was dizzy, and needed rest so my body could absorb the water. After checking my pulse, and finding that I was lucid and talking sense, they gradually faded away, leaving just one kind lady to chat to me until I felt better. But then when I set off again, my muscles had cooled down, so within half a mile I got cramp. Another ten minutes getting treatment. My 6 hour target was now well gone.
• I was surprised at how thin the crowd was in Central London. When I finished two years ago at around the same time, the Embankment and Birdcage Walk had been crowded, and I had been somewhat over-stimulated by the cheering to run a sprint finish. This year it was sparsh. Birdcage Walk in particular. Only one side had people, and that had big gaps. It was now overcast and cold, so I assume people had just drifted away a bit earlier.
• Most memorable two years ago was probably about mile 24 when a woman dashed out from the crowd to give me a big sexy kiss and tell me I was a hero. Nothing like that this year. Probably some of the banners: "Mo Farah Never Ran A Marathon" - "Who needs toenails anyway" - and the best: "Run if you can - Walk if you must - But finish for Boston"
• My goal was under 6 hours. Only done it once - at Amsterdam. All too often it's 6.03, 6.05, etc. Praque was 6.01 FFS! Because I went off too fast, and the wheels came off round the Dogs, I only managed 6.37
• A few pints with my son. And we remembered how we had drunk together after the British 10K with a friend of his, who later got killed on his bike during the Olympics.

@Intermanaut. My review was done under my user name. My real name is not shown on this site. However, I do use the name SilkTork on other websites where my real name is shown. Burke must have searched the internet for other uses of SilkTork, found my real name, then sat down with the hundreds of race entries and went through them looking for my email address. And then wrote me a long accusatory message.  It wasn't a friendly act, nor was it designed to be.

I've just realised as well, that he would noy have got my email from RunnersWorld, so he searched through all the race entries to connect up my review with my entry and find find my email address.

I am disturbed by this, Can RunnersWorld do anything about this?

I wrote a frank but mainly negative review of the organisation of the Lydd Half Marathon organised by Mike Burke of Nice Work - a commercial company set up to organise races. I was not alone. The finish is rather dangerous, so most runners complained. As they have done for previous years. It appears, to me and others, to be an appropriate complaint. Yet Burke connected the review I wrote with my race entry and hunted down my email address and wrote me an unpleasant email.

I said:

I was given a toy shop medal that isn't worth keeping. No food or energy drinks. The organisers need to close the lane to traffic. And perhaps buy a few bags of sand to fill in the potholes.

The comments imediately before mine:

Chaotic finish with cars and bikes leaving the finish line area while runners still coming in, its just not fair so stop people parking right by the finish line!

Didn't like the finish much as wasn't sure where to go what with cars and 2 cyclist in the way.

what happened to the medal this year Nice-WorK ?? It must the worst medal ever especially for a half marathon

Completely chaotic last few hundred yards! Cars and people everywhere! I don't know how much money the sponsors 'Brett' put into this event or what it's spent on but it's fairly evident where it doesn't go.

the end was a bit muddled

Quite muddled at the end - cars and people all over the place.

Etc.

Di the other people who mentioned the dangerous finish and poor quality medal also get a hostile email?

Burke said in the email: "comments such as yours really start to upset and affect those who volunteer to help organise this race. When they are so obviously out of step with the majority of those who took part I feel it only right we should defend ourselves."

Given that the majority of people who took part have complained about a) the quality of the medal and b) the safety of the runners at the end, I am uncomfortable with the organiser telling me I am out of line, and that others thought the race was OK. I admit my comments were strong, but they were hionest and accurate.

Anyone else experinece this? Either from Burke, or from any other organiser?